An Analysis of Educational Functions in Folk Songs of Mulao Nationality

Abstract: Mulao nationality is a unique ethnic minority of Guangxi, China. The ancestors of Mulao ethnic minority pass their educational thoughts to their offspring through the special way of “combining education with songs”, which plays an irreplaceable role in inheriting their national culture and spirit. Taking the educational value of Mulao ethnic folk songs in Luocheng county, Guangxi, the Mulao autonomous county as the research object, this paper discusses the educational thoughts in Mulao ethnic folk songs such as gratitude, filial piety, requite favors, social morality, family view, marriage view, and open-mindedness through the forms of Mulao ethnic folk songs such as ritual songs, Gutiao songs, Zoupo Festival songs, and other forms of folk songs.

       Key words: Mulao nationality, folk songs, education function